APD looking for gun shop burglars

Austin Police are looking for the men who broke into a local gun shop and got away with firearms and ammunition.

The break in, which happened November 23rd, was recorded by a security camera. The images show several men -moving quickly through the gun shop. It’s believed as many as 6 were involved in the heist, but only 3 could be clearly seen moving about in the store, although their faces were covered and they wore gloves. Despite that, investigators said the burglars are Hispanic and black males.

Former ATF investigator Michael Reyes, Now with Aegis Innovations, reviewed the video, and provided FOX 7 with an assessment of the suspects.

"That tells me the individuals would have gone to the gun store before, someone in that gun store has seen them before, because they knew exactly where they were going,” said Reyes.

The incident happened at G.T. Distributors. The north Austin business not only sells firearms to the general public, it also provides tactical gear and supplies to local law enforcement officers. According to an inventory, ammunition and only handguns were stolen during the break-in.

"If they were thrown together hap - hazardly, just buddies that decided to go get the guns, They may be breaking them up, how many they got, dividing them up, selling them ... how ever they can, or they could be working for an organization that sent them in there to get all the guns so they can do something with those guns,” said Reyes.

While the burglars got away with a lot, what they took wasn't exactly top of the line the owner who declined to go on camera told FOX 7 the majority of the firearms that were taken were either damaged or broken. It’s possible the men may try to sell the parts to gun-smiths. They may also post some of the stolen items on-line.

"My initial reaction is those guns are probably heading to Mexico considering our proximity to the borders and what I've seen in the past,” said Reyes.

Investigators say the men drove off from the store in a white pick-up truck - which reportedly had been stolen.

The ATF has posted a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.